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High parity is associated with increased bone size and strength.
Bonny Specker1, Teresa Binkley
1Ethel Austin Martin Program in Human Nutrition, South Dakota State University, EAM Bldg, Box 2204, Brookings, SD 57007, USA. Bonny.Specker@sdstate.edu
Summary
High parity, or having many children, is linked to larger bone size and greater bone strength, potentially explaining lower hip fracture risk in women, even without changes in bone mineral density.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology and osteoporosis research
- Reproductive health and skeletal outcomes
- Anthropometry and biomechanics
Background:
- Previous studies suggest a link between high parity and reduced hip fracture risk, but the underlying skeletal mechanisms remain unclear.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) alone does not fully explain this association, suggesting other bone strength determinants are involved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that higher parity is associated with increased bone size and strength.
- To examine the relationship between parity, bone size, bone mineral content (BMC), and bone strength in women.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 168 Hutterite women (aged 40-80) was conducted.
- Measurements included bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (total body, hip, femoral neck, lumbar spine), and bone geometry (radius).
- Diet, activity, and breastfeeding history were also collected.
Main Results:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine was not associated with parity or breastfeeding duration.
- Total body BMC and bone area, and femoral neck bone area, were positively associated with parity.
- Higher parity was linked to increased radial torsional bending strength and a larger femoral neck bone area.
Conclusions:
- High parity is associated with increased bone size, particularly at the femoral neck, and enhanced radial bone strength.
- These skeletal adaptations, rather than higher BMD, may contribute to the observed lower hip fracture risk in women with high parity.